How Rand Paul went from calling Donald Trump an 'orange windbag' to being a devout disciple

Huge article from the Louisville Courier Journal on Rand's curious relationship with Trump. I won't post it all so give them a click:

https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2020/01/31/kentucky-sen-rand-paul-has-gone-trump-critic-devout-ally/4610465002/

Quote:

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U.S. Sen. Rand Paul once called President Donald Trump a "fake conservative."

Trump had lobbed his own insults at Paul, saying he "reminds me of a spoiled brat without a properly functioning brain." Later, the Kentucky senator shot back, calling the bellicose New York City business tycoon a "delusional narcissist" on Comedy Central.

Yes, Paul and Trump came out swinging as they fought for the Republican Party's 2016 presidential nomination.

But then, things began to change dramatically — once Trump won the nomination and ultimately the presidency.

Within three years, Paul shifted from calling Trump a bully who was "all blather" to lashing out at the president's political enemies throughout the impeachment saga.

As the impeachment trial unfolded in the Senate, Paul put himself front and center as a chief defender of Trump, downplaying the seriousness of the proceedings by doing a crossword puzzle during early arguments and walking out on the trial after Chief Justice John Roberts rejected one of his questions because it was related to the identity of the whistleblower whose allegations prompted the impeachment inquiry.

"I don’t know how you go from saying 'This is the worst person on the face of the Earth' to 'I must protect this person at all costs,'" said Marisa McNee, the Kentucky Democratic Party's deputy executive director. "Only (Paul) can answer that question."

Brian Darling, who worked as Paul's senior communications director from late 2012 to early 2015, contends that Paul and Trump align closely on foreign policy and issues like cutting taxes.

They've both advocated for winding down America's military involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq, for example.

He also said Paul's pivot makes sense politically.

"Well, it’s smart politics not to trash talk the president and to make comments that are disparaging toward the president, even when you disagree with him, because then you won’t have any influence over the process," Darling said.

The Republican Party of Kentucky's spokesman Mike Lonergan said Paul's relationship with Trump benefits the state.

“Our Republican leaders like Senator Paul and President Trump are working hand-in-hand to make life better for Kentuckians," Lonergan said.

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An easy transition from the Ron Paul blimp to the big orange windbag?

Remember, in the debates, when Trump said that Rand was too ugly to be on stage? This from one of the (IMHPOV) ugliest guys on the planet.

That's when I knew Trump had no argument- his only resource is insults.

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Originally Posted by Ender

Remember, in the debates, when Trump said that Rand was too ugly to be on stage? This from one of the (IMHPOV) ugliest guys on the planet.

That's when I knew Trump had no argument- his only resource is insults.

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This brash style WORKS in the GOP, Rand is far too mild mannered to win the party's nomination. We need to give up on presidential politics and elect more senators. If Rand had 4 votes in the Senate and can act as a bloc then he can bring the place to a halt and hold the balance of power. No budgets getting passed without those votes etc. This is far cheaper and effective than a presidential run.

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Originally Posted by Warlord

This brash style WORKS in the GOP, Rand is far too mild mannered to win the party's nomination. We need to give up on presidential politics and elect more senators. If Rand had 4 votes in the Senate and can act as a bloc then he can bring the place to a halt and hold the balance of power. No budgets getting passed without those votes etc. This is far cheaper and effective than a presidential run.

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The problem is presidential politics is what gets people inspired and involved, Senator Rand Paul is proof of that. 5 Rand like figures would make such a difference, who can we realistically get in though? As imperfect of a Libertarian presidential candidate as Gary Johnson was, I really wish he would of Ran for the New Mexico senate seat years before he did. Joe Miller from Alaska got screwed, idk if he has anything planned for the future. Massie might have enough state wide appeal to win in Kentucky, Im sure Mcconnell will hold onto that until his last breath. Can't really think of any other liberty minded person who both is interested and has a chance. Maybe Glenn Jacobs in Tenn..

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Originally Posted by TomtheTinker

The problem is presidential politics is what gets people inspired and involved, Senator Rand Paul is proof of that. 5 Rand like figures would make such a difference, who can we realistically get in though? As imperfect of a Libertarian presidential candidate as Gary Johnson was, I really wish he would of Ran for the New Mexico senate seat years before he did. Joe Miller from Alaska got screwed, idk if he has anything planned for the future. Massie might have enough state wide appeal to win in Kentucky, Im sure Mcconnell will hold onto that until his last breath. Can't really think of any other liberty minded person who both is interested and has a chance. Maybe Glenn Jacobs in Tenn..

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I agree with this. The presidency holds much more influence than a senate and especially a house seat. Yes we need people there, but we live in an age where the president can say 'Simon says, touch your chin' and millions of people will touch their chin. Get someone into the presidency who believes in liberty and that's a lot of people believing in liberty (not a profound understanding, sure, but enough to change the narrative).

It is what it is.